NORTH CREEK – Gore Mountain will be hosting the first of three major race events on the Echo trail Thursday & Friday, as a full field of 140 athletes gather for the FIS Men’s Giant Slalom February 13-14. Participants include skiers from throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Other upcoming events include the U18 State Super G, Giant Slalom, & Slalom February 21-23, and the U18 and U21 USSA Eastern Finals February 27-March 2.

The Echo trail was homologated by the Federation of International Skiing (FIS) for slalom, giant slalom, and Super G racing. FIS is one of two governing bodies which oversees ski racing in the US; it administers on a global level, while the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is based in North America. Certifying a race trail to this world-class FIS caliber is based on several factors including the width, vertical drop, and topography of the trail, as well as the infrastucture of facilities and services in the immediate and regional area. Gore received the USSA homologation for Echo for slalom, giant slalom, and Super G events during summer 2012; the FIS homologation was issued in February 2013.

Echo is located on Burnt Ridge Mountain, one of Gore’s four developed peaks, and is serviced by a newly installed high-speed quad. The homologation of this trail allows for Gore to host a wider spectrum of competitive skiing events, including the Junior Olympics, Eastern Championships, FIS development events, and potentially World Cups.